Tank cover

ABSTRACT

The tank cover with an improved fit and function reflected in its method and material of construction is presented. The use of angled darts or other suitable angled fitting mechanisms of the cover in certain embodiments of the present invention provide desired snugness and fit, greatly reducing the prior art problems of sliding or shifting. Moreover, the optional use of quality material, such as drapery/upholstery grade fabric, characterized as having a weight sufficient to retain the cover in a certain position once fitted, greatly aids the present invention in providing the improved fit. The weight of the fabric is further accentuated through the use of quality construction techniques.

RIGHT OF PRIORITY

[0001] This application claims priority to and benefit of earlier filing date of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/424,612, filed Nov. 7, 2002 and being further identified by attorney docket number 02-RWV-01-PROV, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates generally to the tank covers and more particularly to tank covers, such as toilet tank covers, that may be decorative while simultaneously providing a secure fit.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Consumers, particularly in the home environment, often spend a great deal of time, effort and money to beautify their bathrooms. A large aspect of this can involve attempts to improve the aesthetic appearance of the toilet. To this end, toilet tank covers are often employed, although with mixed results. The materials and construction of such covers are often of inferior quality, resulting in a less than desirable appearance as well as fit. Lightweight fabrics or poor quality looped fabrics, for instance, can result in covers that look bad after only limited wear and tear. The mechanisms employed for keeping a toilet tank cover on the tank until it is to be removed are often insufficient or inferior for the purpose of providing a tight, secure fit. The use of elastic to fit the cover over the toilet tank lid in particular results in a notoriously loose, sloppy fit. Loose fit of the fabric, as well as an excess of the fabric, can contribute to a lumpy, unleveled surface of the toilet tank cover, thereby diminishing it's use as a flat surface as well as further corrupting its aesthetic appeal. Some covers are so poorly fitted that they will tend to pop off (if too tight) or slid (if too loose).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, and further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing(s), wherein:

[0005] FIGS. 1-36 illustrate various toilet tank covers in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0006] While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail one or more specific embodiments, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as exemplary of the principles of the invention and not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments shown and described. In the description below, like reference numerals are used to describe the same, similar or corresponding parts in the several Views of the drawings.

[0007] The tank cover of the present invention has an improved fit and function reflected in its method and material of construction. The use of angled darts or other suitable angled fitting mechanisms at each of the four corners of the cover in certain embodiments of the present invention provide desired snugness and fit, greatly reducing the prior art problems of sliding or shifting. Moreover, the optional use of quality material, such as drapery/upholstery grade fabric, characterized as having a weight sufficient to retain the cover in a certain position once fitted, greatly aids the present invention in providing the improved fit. The weight of the fabric is further accentuated through the use of quality construction techniques. Hems are substantial enough to contribute to the weighting of the cover, with hems that may be at least one inch with a ¼ inch turn under employed in accordance with certain embodiments. The base hem of the cover may have a large piping (such as ¼ inch) sewn into the hem and facing, although other embodiments may be used as will be shown. Due to the inward angle of the darts at each of the corners, the hem with piping places the bottom of the cover just a bit under the lid cover and thus again is reinforced into the desired position. The piping is preferably interfaced on the inside of the piece to hold the piping in a downward position, further creating a downward force to hold the cover in place. The piping is preferably of a substantial weight, such as decorator or upholstery grade fabric, to contribute to the inward angles of the darts in a meaningful way by adding downward force to hold the cover in place. In addition to piping, other finishing material, such as fringe, beads, ruffles or buttons, located along the outer and/or bottom hems of the cover, can, together with the inward angle provided by the darts, provide sufficient weight and heft to contribute to a snug, but not tight, fit. Such inward dart angles, hems, and optional piping or other finishing material together or separately can provide sufficient weight, distributed towards the outside of the cover, to better hold the cover in place. Moreover, the tank cover of the present invention is not limited to covering toilet tanks but is applicable to any tank to be covered.

[0008] In accordance with certain embodiments, the toilet tank cover is angled in towards the bottom of the tank lid by the use of angled darts or other angled fitting mechanisms. As shown in FIG. 1, the cover 10 of the present invention has a base 14 of side surfaces or portions 16 that angle toward the bottom of the tank lid. The toilet tank lid cover may be constructed to be reversible. This is accomplished through the use of angled darts 18 at each of the four corners of the lid cover 10, for instance, as shown in FIG. 2. It is understood, however, that the use of angled fitting mechanisms need not necessarily occur at each corner of the lid cover. In FIG. 3 a bottom view of the tank cover is shown. In which it can be seen that the circumference of the top, shown as the outer box in the illustration, is greater than circumference of the bottom edge 20 of the cover, shown as the inner box in the illustration. This is caused by the angled darts 18 found at each corner when the side portions 16 meet the top portion. The side view of the cover in FIG. 4 clearly shows the inward angle Φ21 of the bottom of the tank lid cover with respect to the top corners of the lid cover. This helps prevent movement, slipping or sliding of the lid cover.

[0009] FIGS. 5-7 illustrate alternate embodiments in which other weighting materials, such as fringe, beads, piping, ruffles, buttons, tassels, pleats, and appliques or other decorations, may be used alone or in combination with piping to enhance the weight and thus the fit of the tank cover. Each of these embodiments may be used in combination with the angled darts described above. In FIG. 5, fringe 24 may be attached to the bottom of the toilet tank cover, thereby adding further weight and enhancing the fit of the tank cover. Similarly, FIG. 6 illustrates the use of beads 26 in this manner. FIG. 7 illustrates the use of applied material 28, such as appliques or buttons, to the facing of one or more sides of the toilet tank cover in addition to the use of piping 22 as shown.

[0010]FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment in which additional supplemental weighting material, such as the gathered skirt or drape 30, which can fall to the bottom of the tank if so desired, can be employed, in combination with the angled darts 18 shown in FIGS. 2-4, to enhance the fit of the cover. Again, the hem 33 of the drape denoted by the dashed line is preferably of a substantial size, such as one inch, to enhance the weighting property of the material. In addition to the drape, a fringe, in this case a three-inch satin rope fringe 24, is attached to the piping 22. FIG. 9 illustrates that when using a longer drape or skirt of material in which the flush handle of the toilet might otherwise be covered, openings 35 in the material, such as the buttonholes shown in the figure, may be used to accommodate the flushing handle in either the front or side position.

[0011] A variation of the drape shown in FIGS. 8-9 is illustrated in FIGS. 10-11, in which an insertion of a seam or strip of material having elastic properties is utilized. In FIG. 10, it can be seen that the cover is of a three-piece construction, with an elastic piece of material 40 affixed to the bottom of a top piece and a gathered skirt 42, which may or may not cover the tank to its bottom, affixed to the bottom of the elastic piece. The use of an elastic piece 40 allows the cover to more securely cover the toilet tank. The cover may be snugly pulled down over the toilet tank like in a downward motion and the elastic piece will tend to hold the cover snugly to the sidewalls of the tank when released. The top four corners of the cover may additionally be constructed using angled darts as described above. FIG. 11 illustrates that the skirt or drape portion of the cover may attach directly to the top portion of the cover in the back, thereby eliminating the piece of elastic where it will not be seen. Elastic on only three sides in this manner will still assist in providing a retaining force to keep the cover in place. The size of the elastic material may vary considerably but should be of sufficient girth to promote retention of the cover on the tank once placed. As shown, a strip of two inches may be used. Again, the hem 33 at the bottom of the skirt should be of a substantial size, such as one inch, so as to assist in the weighting function of the material.

[0012]FIG. 12 shows an embodiment in which the addition of pockets 45 adds weight as well as adds the functional benefit of being able to hold items, such as toys, toiletries, etc. Piping 22 in this embodiment is added to the bottom of the pocket portion of material, although it could additionally be added right above the pocket portion if so desired.

[0013] Referring now to FIGS. 13-23, various embodiments in which the shape of the bottom piece of the toilet tank cover may be modified to provide the weighting function of the material of the cover, used in combination with the angled darts described above, are shown. In each of these embodiments, the attachment of the bottom piece of the cover with tailored seams serves to hold the material in place and to prevent fraying. Before attaching the bottom piece to the top piece, the bottom piece is seamed in the rear. The hems around the bottom piece should include a turn and be of substantial width. For instance, a hem around the bottom piece having a ¼ inch turn and a one inch hemp adds more weight to the fabric, assisting to keep in it place. When thus assembled, the cover pulls over the tank in one piece.

[0014]FIG. 13 illustrates a cover having a series of pleats 50 arranged about the bottom 14 of the cover, which may or may not extend the full length of the tank. Again, darts may be used to provide an inward angle towards the bottom lip of the tank cover, an effective retaining mechanism as described above. As illustrated in FIG. 14, the bottom piece 14 of the tank cover, having the pleats 50, attaches to the top piece of the cover at the seams 53 as shown. The pleats 50 may not necessarily extend all the way around the tank, in the rear of the tank since that portion will not be seen. Pleats along the three visible sides of the toilet will still be sufficient to provide the desired weighting function and a pleasing visual effect.

[0015] The angle Φ of the toilet tank cover towards the bottom of the tank lid, the quality and weight of the material used to construct the cover, and the use of sufficient hem allowances operate to hold the fabric snugly in place in the foregoing embodiments. The snug surface allows the toilet tank cover to be used as a substantially flat surface on which items may be placed if so desired.

[0016] FIGS. 15-17 illustrate a cover in which the bottom piece has a weighted scalloped edging 55. As shown in FIG. 17, a second piece of material 60, or other suitable supplemental weighting material may be sewn or otherwise affixed inside the bottom of the cover to allow the scalloped edging 55 to hold its shape. FIG. 15 shows that some suitable weighting material, such as trim 57, may be used to further enhance the downward pull of the material, as well as to enhance its beauty. In FIG. 16, the bottom piece 14 attached to the top piece at the seams; this attachment may take place at the rear of the tank where it is out of sight. Similarly, FIGS. 18-20 illustrate another stylized shape of the bottom of the cover that may be used. The triangular shape of the bottom of the piece attached to the top piece of the cover may be similarly attached to the top piece at the seams 53 as shown in FIGS. 19-20. FIG. 18 further indicates that the bottom triangular piece 70 may optionally have one or more weighting elements 75, such as buttons, affixed to it, temporarily or more permanently, to both enhance the weighting properties of the cover as well as to enhance the decorative effect of the cover. The addition of a second piece of material 60 inside the bottom piece of the tank cover, in this case in the triangular shape matching triangular piece 70, helps 70 holds its shape as well as provide additional weighting suitable for aiding in the retention of the tank cover 10 onto a tank on which it may be placed. Finally, as shown in FIGS. 21-23, the bottom piece 14 of the cover may have a valance shape 80, accented by a substantial piece of piping 22 as well as other optional bits of supplemental weighting material such as tassel 85. It will have similar weighting properties as the covers shown and described in connection with FIGS. 13-20. The placement of an additional piece of material 60 in a valance shape reflective of 80 may be sewn into the bottom piece 14 of the cover as discussed above.

[0017] The embodiments discussed thus far work best when the angled darts are used, either alone or perhaps in combination with weighting enhancements as described above. There are several embodiments of the present invention that provide a highly functional, attractive fit without requiring the use of angled fitting mechanisms.

[0018] Referring now to FIGS. 24-29, covers that provide a snug functional fit as well as a decorative one based upon weighting and tacking mechanisms are illustrated. As shown in FIG. 24, this embodiment 100 has a front flap 116 and a back flap 118 attached to the front and rear, respectively of the main middle piece of material 112, which fits over the top of the tank and hangs in the manner shown in FIG. 25. Flaps 116 and 118, as well as the portions of main piece of material 112 that hang over the edge of the tank, together form a base portion of the tank cover 100. Although three separate pieces of material, such as a drapery or upholstery grade fabric, may be used, the cover may also be constructed from one piece of material, although the lay of the cover may not be as good as what may be obtained using French seams, as will now be described.

[0019] French seams 120 are preferably used to connect the flaps to the main rectangular piece of material such that the seams fall onto the edge of the tank over on the front and the back. The French seams keep the fabric from bunching, keeping it perfectly flat even after laundering, just like a man's tailored shirt. As illustrated in FIG. 25, “flaps” 116 and 118 hang down from each of the four corners of the tank lid and are tacked closed just under the tank lid lip. This tacking mechanism 125 couples the front and back flaps 116 and 118 to the middle portion 112 as shown and further aids the retention of the cover over the tank in a snug way. The tacks 125, which may be thread used to tack the flaps 116 and 118 to adjacent material of 112 may be covered with supplemental weighting elements 127, which may also be decorative elements, such as buttons or tassels, that provide further weighting at the corners of the cover. These decorative elements may be removably attached to permit laundering and/or drying cleaning of the cover. The “short flap” version of FIG. 25 and the longer flap version of FIG. 27 feature the use of buttons, while FIG. 26 illustrates the use of tassels.

[0020] As previously mentioned, the flap cover of FIGS. 24-27 can be made of one piece if so desired. A variation of this is the reversible flap cover 130 of FIGS. 28-29 in which the two pieces of the flap shape of FIG. 28 are sewn together all the way around and then turned inside out to provide a completely reversible cover. The single piece 130 has a main or middle portion 132, a front flap portion 136 and a rear flap portion 138; middle portion 132 may additionally have two side flap portions 133, 134, although this is not necessary to affix cover 130 to a tank. The portions 133, 134, 36, and 138 that hang over the edge of the substantially flat surface of the tank together form the base of the tank cover. Tacking 125 is still used on both the normal and the reversible sides of the cover just under the lower lip of the tank cover to help retain the cover over the tank. Again, weighting elements 127, such as buttons or tassels may be used in combination with the tacking elements.

[0021] The previously embodiments were constructed to fit around the water tank portion of the toilet. Referring now to FIGS. 30-34, a toilet tank wrap cover 200 is illustrated. To provide the best fit, the toilet tank wrap is preferably made of “stretch” fabric or material, although this is not required, and is attached to itself with loop and hook or some other suitable self-affixing mechanism. As shown in the FIGS. 32-34, the wrap cover may close and affix with some retention elements, such as loop and hook pieces 210 and 230, at the left back side of the tank, with a button hole 205 sewn into the front left or the left side of the tank, for instance, to accommodate toilet flushing handles, as shown in FIGS. 30 and 31; FIG. 34 illustrates a side view of a toilet tank with tank wrap 200 attaching at the left back side of the tank. FIGS. 30 and 31 illustrate that the inside surface of the wrap may constructed to have a row of loop or hook mechanisms 210 approximate the vertical end seam 220 adjacent a first end of the wrap 200. Corresponding rows of loop or hook mechanisms 230 arranged along the outside surface of the opposite edge of the first end of the wrap allow for variability of tank sizes and thus enhance the best fit possible. This configuration allows the wrap to accommodate “standard” as well as different “designer” tank sizes available on the market. The tab attachment in the back allows variance for small, medium and large tank sizes to get a good fit. The combination of the variable size attachment, whether by a loop and hook or other variable self-affixing mechanism, with the stretch material of the cover itself provide an excellent coverage of the tank.

[0022] Referring now to FIGS. 35-36, it can be seen that the wrap tank cover 200 of FIGS. 30-34 can be combined with a scarf portion 310 as shown in the illustration 300 of FIG. 35. In the illustrative embodiment, scarf 310 may simply lay on top of the toilet tank as shown. The weighting factor of the material from which it is made is sufficient to enable the material to fall in folds at each corner and hang a sufficient distance down the side of the tank, such as two inches, for instance. To this end, the material of the scarf may be make of weighty upholstery/drapery fabric and may additionally be trimmed in fringe as shown or other supplemental weighting material that operates to weigh the hem of the scarf down and keep it in place on the tank lid. The scarf portion may be used alone or in combination with the wrap portion 200. It offers the advantage of being able to accommodate hundreds of different tank sizes and shapes in the marketplace while needing to be mass-produced in only a few sizes, such as medium and large sizes. Moreover, it is within the scope of the invention that varying shapes of the scarf portion, approximate or differing from the shape of the tank onto which it is placed, may be employed. For instance, while the scarf 310 in the exemplary embodiment is rectangular in shape and thus approximates that of the toilet tank lid on which it is placed, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the shape of the scarf 310 may be circular, diamond shaped, etc. without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0023] While the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, permutations and variations will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended that the present invention embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations as fall within the scope of the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A tank cover, comprising: a top portion that substantially approximates a surface of a tank the tank cover is to cover; a base portion coupled to the top portion and having a plurality of side portions and a bottom edge; and a plurality of retention elements operable to couple the base portion to the top portion and encourage retention of the tank cover when said tank cover is placed over a tank.
 2. The tank cover of claim 1, wherein the plurality of retention elements comprises at least one angled fitting element that causes the circumference of the bottom edge of the tank cover to be smaller than the circumference of the top portion of the tank cover and thereby contribute to retention of the tank cover when said tank cover is placed over a tank.
 3. The tank cover of claim 2, wherein the at least one angled fitting element comprises one or darts formed into the plurality of side portions.
 4. The tank cover of claim 2, wherein the at least one angled fitting element is suitable for attaching the plurality of side portions to the top portion of the cover so that bottom edges of the plurality of side portions form the bottom edge of the tank cover.
 5. The tank cover of claim 1, wherein the plurality of retention elements comprises a plurality of tacking elements that couple one or more of the plurality of side portions to the top portion of the tank cover to encourage retention of the tank cover when said tank cover is placed over a tank.
 6. The tank cover of claim 1, wherein the top and bottom portions are made from a single piece of material.
 7. The tank cover of claim 1, wherein the base portion further comprises an elastic piece of material tending to encourage retention of the tank cover when said tank cover is placed over the tank.
 8. The tank cover of claim 7, further comprising at least one angled fitting element that causes the circumference of the bottom edge of the tank cover to be smaller than the circumference of the top portion of the tank cover and thereby encourage retention of the tank cover when said tank cover is placed over the tank.
 9. A tank cover, comprising: a top surface that substantially approximates a surface the tank cover is to cover; a base attached to the top surface that has a plurality of side surfaces and a bottom edge; at least one angled fitting element that causes the circumference of the bottom edge of the tank cover to be smaller than the circumference of the top surface of the tank cover and thereby contribute to retention of the tank cover when said tank cover is placed over a tank;
 10. The tank cover of claim 9, wherein the at least one angled fitting element comprises one or darts formed into the plurality of side surfaces.
 11. The tank cover of claim 9, wherein the at least one angled fitting element is suitable for attaching the plurality of side surfaces to the top surface of the cover so that bottom edges of the plurality of side surfaces form the bottom edge of the tank cover.
 12. The tank cover of claim 9, further comprising a supplemental weighting material attached to at least a portion of the base of said tank cover that adds to the weight of the tank cover to contribute to retention of the tank cover.
 13. The tank cover of claim 12, wherein the supplemental weighting material comprises one or more of piping, fringe, beads, ruffles, buttons, pleats and tassels.
 14. The tank cover of claim 12, wherein the supplemental weighting material comprises a secondary piece of material affixed to an inside portion of the base of said tank cover.
 15. The tank cover of claim 9, wherein the material from which one or more of the top surface and the plurality of side surfaces are formed has a weight substantial enough to contribute to retention of the tank cover.
 16. The tank cover of claim 15, wherein the material is one of a decorator fabric and an upholstery grade fabric.
 17. The tank cover of claim 9, further comprising a hem formed along at least a portion of the bottom edge of the tank cover.
 18. The tank cover of claim 17, wherein the hem has a weight substantial enough to contribute to retention of the tank cover.
 19. The tank cover of claim 18, further comprising a supplemental weighting material attached to at least a portion of the hem of said tank cover that further contributes to retention.
 20. The tank cover of claim 19, wherein the supplemental weighting material comprises a secondary piece of material affixed to an inside portion of the base of said tank cover.
 21. The tank cover of claim 9, wherein the base further comprises one or more openings to accommodate a handle.
 22. The tank cover of claim 9, wherein the base further comprises an elastic piece of material tending to secure the base more securely to the tank when said tank cover is placed over the tank.
 23. The tank cover of claim 22, wherein the elastic piece of material is inserted into one or more of the plurality of side surfaces.
 24. The tank cover of claim 23, wherein the elastic piece of material is attached to at least a portion of the bottom edge of the base.
 25. The tank cover of claim 23, wherein the base further comprises one or more pockets along one or more of the plurality of side surfaces.
 26. A tank cover, comprising: a top surface that substantially approximates a surface the tank cover is to cover; a base attached to the top surface that has a plurality of side surfaces and a bottom edge, wherein the base comprises an elastic piece of material tending to contribute to retention of the tank cover when said tank cover is placed over a tank.
 27. The tank cover of claim 26, further comprising at least one angled fitting element that causes the circumference of the bottom edge of the tank cover to be smaller than the circumference of the top surface of the tank cover and thereby contribute to retention of the tank cover when said tank cover is placed over the tank.
 28. The tank cover of claim 26, wherein the elastic piece of material is inserted into one or more of the plurality of side surfaces.
 29. The tank cover of claim 26, wherein the elastic piece of material is attached to at least a portion of the bottom edge of the base.
 30. The tank cover of claim 26, further comprising a supplemental weighting material attached to at least a portion of the base of said tank cover that adds to the weight of the tank cover to contribute to retention of the tank cover.
 31. The tank cover of claim 30, wherein the supplemental weighting material comprises a secondary piece of material affixed to an inside portion of the base of said tank cover.
 32. A tank cover, comprising: a middle portion operative to fit on top of a tank; a front portion adjacent the middle portion; a back portion adjacent the middle portion; and a plurality of tacking elements that couple one or more of the front portion and the back portion to the middle portion of the tank cover to encourage retention of the tank cover when said tank cover is placed over a tank.
 33. The tank cover of claim 32, wherein the middle, front and back portions are made from a single piece of material.
 34. The tank cover of claim 32, wherein the base further comprises one or more pockets along one or more of the plurality of side surfaces.
 35. A wrap tank cover, comprising: a material element adapted to wrap about a tank to be covered by the wrap tank cover; an affixing element coupled to the material element for affixing the material element when wrapped about the tank;
 36. The tank cover of claim 35, wherein the material element is characterized as having an elastic property.
 37. The tank cover of claim 35, wherein the affixing element is a self-affixing element.
 38. The tank cover of claim 37, wherein the affixing element comprises a first affixing element arranged along an inside surface adjacent a first end of the material element and a corresponding second affixing element arranged along an outside surface adjacent the first end of the material element.
 39. The tank cover of claim 35, herein the material element is adapted to wrap around a side portion of the tank.
 40. The tank cover of claim 35, wherein the material element further comprises an opening to accommodate a handle of the tank.
 41. The tank cover of claim 35, wherein the wrap tank cover further comprises: a piece of material having a weighting factor sufficient to encourage retention of the tank cover when placed over a top portion of the tank, wherein the piece of material further comprises a top portion and a base portion with the base portion of sufficient area to cover a portion of the tank other than the top portion of the tank.
 42. The tank cover of claim 41, wherein the base further comprises one or more pockets along one or more of the plurality of side surfaces.
 43. A tank cover, comprising: a piece of material having a weighting factor sufficient to encourage retention of the tank cover when placed over a tank, wherein the piece of material further comprises a top portion and a base portion with the base portion of sufficient area to cover a portion of the tank not covered by the top portion.
 44. The tank cover, further comprising a supplemental weighting material attached to at least a portion of the base portion of said piece of material that adds to the weight of the tank cover to contribute to retention of the tank cover when placed over the tank. 